Apparatus for preserving.



No. 657,276. Patented Sept; 4; I900. W. A. SHELDON. APPARATUS Fm? PBESERVING.

(Applicatiozi filed May 4, 1899.)

2 Sheets-She's! 2.

(No Modei.)

WM WMM lTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ALBERT SHELDON, OF OHIBAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,276, dated September 4, 1900. Application filed May 4, 1899- Serial No. 715,608. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM ALBERT SHEL- DON, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Ohioago,in the county of (look and State of Illinois,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forPreserving, (he. and Ido declare the following to bea full,clear, and exact description of the inventi0n,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accom pan yin gd rawin gs, and -to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously and automatically changing the position of eggs, fruit, and other articles and commodities which if permitted to remain undisturbed or in one position for an appreciably-long time will deteriorate in value, appearance, and quality. To accomplish this result, the eggs, fruit, &c., are packed, so as not to become disarranged,in suitably-formed cases, which may be cylindrical, rectangular, or other convenient shape and so supported that they will be slowly but continuously rolled or rotated around their axes about once in twenty-four hours. The rolling motion, which continues during the time the articles are in storage or transit, is an alternating one-that is to say, turning first in one direction for a certain number of revolutions and then in the opposite direction for an equal number of turns. By this treatment the component parts of the aforesaid articles which tend to separate according to their various specific gravities or to pack from their weight, as with fruits when retained in one position for a lengthened period, and thus deteriorate and spoil, retain their natural conditions for a much longer time, so that when brought to market they are fresher, more wholesome, and

present a more perfect and attractive appearance than similar articles not so treated. The cases within which the articles to be treated are placed may be of any shape, as heretofore stated, and may roll directly on the floor or on the floors or plat-forms fastened to the framing at various elevations, or the cases may have a trunnion projecting from each end to rest and roll on a rail on each side of the apparatus.

When the articles are heavy, it may be best to place the cases on the floor.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section therethrough on the line 2 2,. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the speed regulating mechanism. Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing two modified means for operating the packing-cases. Fig. '7 illustrates a further modification.-

1 and 2 indicate two frames, each of which consists of upright bars A and horizontal bars 0, bolted 'to said upright bars. The horizontal bars 0 of each frame, which lie parallel to and are separated from one another, extend from the top to the bottom of the upright bars A and form supports or rails for cases or receptacles, as hereinafter described. The framesl 2, which are placed parallel to each other, extend lengthwise any desirable distance and may rise vertically from floor to ceiling. Brackets a are conveniently used to fasten the frames to floor and ceiling or to overhead beams B. The distance between the frames 1 2 is regulated by the length of the cases or receptacles D, which are placed there-.

in. The horizontal bars 0 of each frame 1 2 are equal in number and so arranged that the upper surfaces of corresponding bars lie in the same plane, and thus form rails on which the cases revolve.

Between the frames 1 and 2 and supported on the several horizontal bars or rails O are a number of packing or holding cases or receptacles D, which may be of cylindrical, square, rectangular, or other form, each end of each case or receptacle being provided with a projecting pin or trunnion d, which is adapted to rest on one of the rails C in each frame. The trunnions (1 may rest directly on the bars 0 or on strap-iron secured thereto; but the preferred form is that shown in the drawings, which consists of a piece of an gle iron E, bolted to the upper edge of each bar 0 in such position that one side of each angleiron lies in an upright position, on the edge of which a trunnion d rest-s. The cases thus supported are rolled very slowly on their trunnions baekwardly and forwardly, constantl y changing the position of articles within the cases and preventing the separation-by gravity of theirconstituen t paints'or 'theqpaeking, as with fruits, which would be the result were they to remain in one position for a relatively-long time. Instead of supporting the cases by trunnions resting on rails they may rest on the floor (see Fig. ,7) or on platforms;

built across the apparatus from one frame to another and secured to the horizontal bars or rails C.

To provide means for rolling the cases and atthe same time to prevent them from coming into contact "with one another while being rolled, a notched draw-bar F isplaced on a each side of the apparatus between, each an gleiron E and the adjacent endsof the cases D the notchesf in the draw-bar engagingwith i The draw-bars F arein this i instance made ofstrap metaland stand edgewise, the notches f extending from their lower edges upwardly about half the width of the When the draw-bars F arein place, the

the trunnions 61.

bar. trunnions d are engaged by the notches f,

which are so spacedthat the cases are kept; separated and free from all danger of contact.

The draw-bars ,F-extend from one end of the frame to the other, each pair which rotate the same cases being connected at the oper ating end of the apparatus by a cross-bar f, 1 from which point the draw-bars are bent toward each other and joined, the united ends j f extending again in a straight line, a rack F being secured to the said united ends.

A vertical shaft G at one end of the apparatus, and driven by means hereinafter described rests at its lower end in a step g, from which it can be readily removed when found necessary or desirable to remove the Fixed cases from this end of the apparatus. to the shaft G are a series of pinions H, each pinion being adapted to engage with one ofv the racks F on the united ends of a pair of 'draw-bars F. The shaft G, which is caused to rotate first in one direction and then in the other, causes the draw-bars through their connections to reciprocate, the length of movement depending upon the diameters of the pinions H. By using pinions of different diameters different lengths of travel and different speeds may be imparted in one apparatus to the several draw-bars and through them to the cases. The number of rotations of the cases in a given length of movement of the draw bars F may be increased or diminished by the use of trunnions of different diameters. If trunnions of one-half inch diameter are used, one rotation of the case will advance it in a linear direction one and four-seventh (1%) inches or eleven (11) inches shaft G. The three bevel-gears have the same pitch-diameter; ,bntzwhile the bevelgear L has its full complement of teeth the bevel-gearsJ and K are without teeth for "about-one hal-ftheir diameters,or thereabout,

and so adjusted on the shaft I that the toothed half of one gear is opposite the mutilated half of the other. By this arrangement the continuous rotation .of the shaft I in one direction will cause the mutilated gear, which is in engagement with thegear L, to turn the shaft G in onedirection until the last tooth of said mutilated gear is-on the point of begear will enter into engagement with the said gear L and. rotate it in the opposite direction,

at the end of which movement the first-mentioned mutilated gear will again come into engagement with the gear L.

On the horizontal shaft I is fixed a drum M,

around which a rope or chain N is wound.

tilated bevel-gears R S, similar to the gears J K, which engage alternately with a bevelgear T, fixed on a shaft U, journaled at a right angle to'shaft Q and horizontally to it. It is obvious that proper gears may be introduced between the shaft Q and the pendulum to reduce the speed of the pendulum to about one heat per second, more or less, and that the mutilated gears may be connected with the pendulum-shaft, and to swing the pendulum any approved clockwork mechanism may be employed. A supporting-plate V on the outer end of the shaft U has pivoted thereto a pendulum W, its bob to being adjustable on the bar w and secured thereto when adjusted by means of a screw (1:. A pin 4) projects from the plate V'on each side of the pendulum-bar. Q

The driving mechanism described possesses many advantages where an exceedingly-slow speed is desired. The weight is wound up by turning the crank P, which, winding the.

rope Nabout the Windlass, draws it'from the drum, and the latter being thereby rotated raises the weight. ,Suitable ratchet mechanisms are interposed between the Windlass and the drum and their respective shafts to permit this winding action. The tendency of the weight being to descend, the shaft I is caused to turn and through the bevel-gears J, K, andL operate the shaft G and the cases.

The rotation of the drum also draws the rope from the Windlass P, turning it, the shaft Q, and, through the intermediate gears, the mutilated bevel-gears R S on said shaft. The mutilated gears R S cause the bevel-gear T and its shaft U to rock, thus swinging the pendulum \V first to right and then to left. The speed of the mechanism is regulated by the pendulum \V, the length of which may be changed, as also the weight of the bob w. The longer and heavier the pendulum the slower the speed. The proportions between the diameters of the drum and the Windlass may also vary. It is always desirable, however, to have a drum of greater diameter than the Windlass. Change of proportion between the gears will also cause a change of speed.

The means shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 for rolling the cases and keeping them separated a predetermined distance at all times, while being a simple and therefore the preferred form, I have shown in Figs. 5 and 6 modified devices for performing the same operation.

In Fig. 5 the pinions H on the shaft G are replaced by a bevel-gear H which meshes with a similar gear H on a shaft carrying a sprocketwheel H A sprocket-chain H passes around the sprocket H and a similar sprocket H on the trunnion of the first case D. A second sprocket H on the same trunnion drives a sprocket-chain H which passes over similar sprockets on the trunnions of the succeeding cases D, around the sprocket H on the last case, returning to the first spocket H The alternating rotary movement of the shaft G will, through the gearing described, cause the cases D to rotate and move on their trunnions or on a suitably-prepared floor to and fro in the manner heretofore described, except the first and last cases, which will be mounted in stationary boxes, so as to have simply a rotary motion and not a linear motion. l/Vhile I have shown the sprocketwheel H as fixed on the trunnion of the first case D, it is to be understood that it may be placed on an independent shaft, with a sprocket-wheel similar to H on the same shaft, around which the chain H will pass, a sprocket similar to H in such event being placed on an independent shaft beyond the last case and having the chain H passing around the same. By this arrangement all the cases will partake of the linear as well as the rolling motion.

Fig. 6 shows alongitudinal shaft H driven by bevel-gears H and H from the shaft G, on which are placed a series of screws H adapted to engage with and turn worm-gears H on the trunnions of the cases D, moving them in the same way as heretofore described.

From the above it will be readily understood that the same means used for rolling the cases also keeps them separated from one another a predetermined distance and that the speed-regulating mechanism is so constructed and arranged that it will operate successfully even when the power applied thereto is much greater than that heretofore used for operating a pendulum mechanism.

I have illustrated and described the preferred construction and arrangement of parts entering into my invention; but it is obvious that changes can be made therein without departing from the essential features of my 1nvention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. An apparatus for preserving perishable articles, consisting of rotatable packing-cases adapted to inclose the perishable articles, means for imparting a rotary and linear movement to the cases, and means for regulating the speed of the rotary and linear movement of the cases, substantially as described.

2. An apparatus for preserving perishable articles, consisting of rotatable packing-cases having trunnions, supports upon and over which said trunnions may travel, means for imparting a rotary and linear movement to the cases, and means for regulating the speed of said rotary and linear movement, substantially as described.

3. A support for cases, cases having truth nions by means of which they are supported thereon, notched bars adapted to engage with the trunnions and roll the cases, means for imparting a backward andforward movement to the notched bars, and means for regulating the speed of rotation of the cases, substantially as set forth.

at. A support for cases, cases having trunnions by means of which they are supported thereon, notched bars adapted to engage with the trunnions and rollthe cases, a mutilatedgear mechanism for giving the notched bars a to-and-fro movement, means for operating the mutilated gearing,and a speed-regulating device, substantially as set forth.

5. A support for cases, cases supported thereon by means of trunnions, notched bars in engagement with the trunnions, a mutilated-gear mechanism adapted to reciprocate the notched bars, a cord and weight adapted to operate the mutilated gearing, and a pendulum-regulating device also operated by the cord and weight, substantially as set forth.

6. An apparatus for preserving perishable articles,consisting of rotatable packing-cases, and means for impartinga rotary and linear movement to said cases and holdingthem a predetermined distance apart, substantially as described.

'7. An apparatus for preserving perishable articles,consisti ng of rotatable packing-cases, and means for imparting a rotary and linear back-and-forth movement to said cases and holding them a predetermined distance apart, substantially as described.

8. An apparatus for preserving perishable articles,con sistingof rotatable packing-cases, means for rolling said cases in a linear direction and keeping them spaced apart, and means for regulating the speed of the rolling means, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for preventing the deterioration of perishable substances, in combination with holding-cases, and mechanism for operating said cases, of a shaft, gearing 5 on the shaft for driving said mechanism, a

bevel-gear on said shaft, a shaft I, two mutilated bevel-gears oppositely fixed on said shaft I and adapted to alternately drive the aforesaid bevel-gear and automatically change the direction of rotation of the holding-cases, I0 and means for driving the shaft I, substantialiy as set forth. a

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM ALBERT SHELDON.

Witnesses:

FRED W. JONES, W. A. SHELDON, Jr. 

